Separable fastener



Jan. i0, 933

R. C. LEGAT SEPARABLE FASTENER Filed Sept.

ffii( iff:

Patented -Jan. 10, 1933 UNITED STATES l PATENT OFFICE ROBERT C. LEGAT, F NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO G. E. PRENTICE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 0F NEW BRITAIN, CONN ECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT Application filed September 12, 1931.

This invention pertains to separable fasteners of the kind in which series of complementary interlocking elements are arranged along the opposite edges of a gap or opening in a garment, shoe, receptacle, or other article made of flexible material and relates more particularly to a'fastener adapted to permit complete separation of the material forming the opposite edges of the gap or opening. For certain purposes, for example, when used for closing the front of a sweater, coat or the like, it is desirable to arrangeythe fastener elements so that the opposite edges of the garment may be separated from end to end in order to avoid the necessity of drawing the garment on or off over the wearers head, and With this object in View it has heretofore been proposed to make the fastener actuating slider in two parts, each part being associated with one of the series of fastener elements so that when the slider has been moved to the end of the series for opening the gap, its parts may be separated, thus wholly disconnect-ing the opposite sides of the garment. Such an arrangement is illustrated, for example, in the patent to Legat No. 1,773,150, dated August 19, 1930. While effective for the purpose, such separable sliders .are more expensive than the ordinary sliders and usually require some care and skill for their proper manipulation.

Another proposed mode of attaining the desired result is by the use of a slider of substantially usual type arranged to cooperate with an end stopwhich normally holds the opposed edges of the material' together at the end of the gap but which comprises parts which may be separated at will. However, prior devices of this character have been objectionable for several reasons. For example, some have been incapable of reliably preventing separation of the opposed fastener elements when the slider has been moved for closing the gap. so that the gap opens behind 4" the slider'. and as the slider is not designed to close the gap by reverse movement, great diliiculty is experienced in restoring the parts to normal operative condition. Moreover, the

flexibility of the stringer to which the fasm tener elements are attached is usually suc-h snPARABLn FASTENER Serial No. 562,464.

that it is not easy' to bring the parts of the stop into proper engagement (such parts necessarily being of small dimensions so that they are not readily grasped for manipulating them) and while it hasbeen proposed to avoid this difficulty by providing t-he stop members with wide and stift' attaching ears or the like, such elements are not acceptable to the garment manufacturer who desires to sew a Stringer to the garment on which it is used by a continuous uninterrupted seam, which is not possible if such rigid laterally extended ears or like stiifener elements are employed.

In accordance with the present invention, I provide a fastener device designed to meet all the requirements and without the objectionable features of prior fasteners. This novel fastener employs an ordinary slider and a separable end stop, but the stringers adjacent tothe end stop are laterally stiiiened in such a Way as to facilitate handling, without substantially interfering with the the attachment of a stringer to a garment by a continuous machine-sewed seam or substantially detrac'ting from the longitudinal fiexibility of the Stringer. Moreover, this stop device is of reliable character and operative to prevent separation of the opposed series of fastener elements after the slider has been moved away from the stop, as well as to prevent improper initial movement of the slider such as would cause the opposed series of fastener elements to engage improperly; this improved stop can be produced and applied cheaply and easily; it does not substantially detract from the appearance of the garment or present any shar edges, hooks or other projections which might injure the garment or the wearer; when assembled, its parts are substantially no wider than the interengaged series of fastener elements so that itdoes not interfere with the continuous sewing operation above vreferred to; and its parts are readily engaged and disengaged by the wearer without special care or skill.

In the accompanying drawing wherein I have illustrated one desirable embodiment of the invention by way of example:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of a 10 fastener device ofthe class described and embodying the present inventionthe opposed series of fastener elements being shown as interengaged at one end of the gap;

Fi 2 is a view similarv to Fig. 1 but showing t e slider at the extreme end of its movement and with the parts of the end stop disen aged;

ig. 3 is a fragmentary rear view of the end of one of the stringers;

Fig. 4 is a plan View of a blank useful in forming the pin member of the end stop;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the pin member of the stop after bending partially to shape and before application to the Stringer;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary front elevation of the lower corner of the right-hand stringer with the completed pin member of the end stop applied thereto;

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a blank useful in making the socket member of the end stop;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section through the socket member after bending, but before application to the Stringer;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section Showing the lower corner of the left-hand Stringer with the socket member of the end stop applied thereto;

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal Section on the line 11-11 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a Section substantially upon the line 12-12 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary front elevation showing the slider in dotted lines and indicating the result of attempting to close the fastener by operation of the slider when the end stop members are not properly assembled; and

Fi 14.- is a fragmentary front elevation showing the opposed series of fastener elements in interlocking engagement and indieating the impossibility of dsconnecting the fastener units below the slider.

Referring to the drawing, the numerals l and 2 designate strfngers of the type usually employed in fasteners of this kind, Such stringers being of flexible material, for eX- ample, woven or braided tape, or the like, and preferably'having beaded edges 3 and t to which the opposed series 5 and 6 of fastener elements are secured respectively. These opposed series of fastener units are moved into and out of engagement by means of a Slider 7 which may be of any usual and acceptable type.

As Shown in Fig. 1 the stringers 1 and 2 are secured to the edges of the opposite Side portions G and Gr1 of a garment, for example, a sweater or coat.

For convenience in description the stringer 1 is herein referred to as the right-hand Stringer and the Stringer 2 as the left-hand `Stringer for the reason that they are applied to the right and left-hand sides of the gar- Lacasse but it is to be understood that these terms are' used merely for ease in designation since the fastener may be so arranged as to be closed either by upward or downward movement of the slider as may be desired and it is Wholly immaterial which Stringer is considered as the left or the right Stringer.

.In accordance with the present invention, I prefer to stiften the lower end portion of each Stringer, adjacent to the end stop hereinafter more fully described, in order to fa cilitate manipulation of the end stop members. Such stifening of each Stringer' at this point may be accomplished in various Ways, but desirably in such a way as not to interfere with the formation of machine-Sewed seams extending longitudinally of the stringer. While l contemplate that this stiffening may be done by the use of some Suitable impregnant coating material, or otherwise, I prefer and have here shown this stifening as provided by doubling back the extreme end portion 2 of the Stringer as shown in Fig. 3 and securing it in this position, first by a series of longitudinally spaced wire staples 8, and secondarily byna series of longitudi nally extending rows of stitches 9, Such rows of stitches extending continuously across the several staples 8. These staples are preferably of thin but stitl wire, such that they will not seriously interfere with the formation of the sewed seams by a sewing machine, but are sufficiently resistant to bending to provide the desired lateral stiffness for the Stringer. However, these spaced staples do not materially add to the stiffness in a longitudinal direction so that thelower end of the Stringer is capable of some exing longitudinally.

It may be noted that the staples 8 preferably do not extend quite to the edge of the bead 4 so that if desired one or more rows of stitches 10, (Fig. 1) useful in connecting the stringer to the garment, may extend between the edge of the bead and the outer ends of the staples, it being understood that the rows of Stitches 9 ma-v also be used for attaching the Stringer to the garment and mayextend if desired through the length of the Stringer.

and that additional rows of stitches may he arranged at the opposite ends of the Staples from the row 10.

The separable end stop 11 herein disclosed comprises two independent members. each preferably made of thin sheet metal of more or less resilient character and capable of retaining its shape after being bent. This end stop comprises the member 12 hereinafter referred to for convenience as the pin member which is attached to the. stringer 1 at the lower end of the latter. This member 12 is conveniently made from a single piece of sheet metal 12a (Fig. 4), of substantially rectangular form and of a length equalling the desired length of the pin member, but having a tab 13 projecting from the central part of its lower edge. Preferably, though not necessarily, this piece of material is provided with a projection 14 (Figs. 6 and 7) which as hereinafter described is adapted to cooperate with a complemental depression in the other end stop member to form a lock.

The blank 12'* is bent as shown in Figs. 5 and 7 so as to become of substantially U- shape in transverse section, the edges 15 and member is assembled with the stringer 1 it( has the appearance shown in Fig. 6, providing a smooth protective finish for the lower corner of the stringer in addition to its function as a part of the end stop.

Referring to Figs. 8 to 12, inclusive, the socket member 17 of the stop device is conveniently made from a blank 17, (Fig. 8) of substantially rectangular forni having the tab 18 projecting upwardly from` the central part of its upper edge, said tab having a notch 19 at its uper end,-the blank also having a tab 20 extending downwardly from its lower edge and having the depression 30 Figs. 10 and 12 adapted to cooperate with the projection 14 ofthe pin member.

This blank 17a is bent as best shown in Fig. 12 to provide the spaced, substantially parallel, front and rear walls 21 and 22, having inwardly directed flanges 23 and 24, respectively, at their outer edges and being integrally united at their inner edges by means of an inwardly directed fold 25 of the material, the legs of said fold providing the jaws 26 and 27, defining between them a pocket adapted to receive and toembrace the bead 4 of the Stringer 2. yThe walls 21 and 22, the flanges 23 and 24, and the fold 25 define a socket for the reception of the pin member 12, it being noted that the wall of the fold 25 furnishes a protection for the bead 4 so that the latter will not be worn by the action of the pin 12 while at the same time providing a smooth surface along which the end of the pin may slide.

Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, it will be noted that the uper edges 29 and 29a of the walls 21 and 22 project outwardly beyond the lateral walls orlegs of the part 25, and these edges 29 and 29a constitute stop ledges for limiting the movement of the slider in a downward direction. The lower end of the socket 28 and the lower end of the pocket which holds the bead 4 are closed by the tab 20 as shown in Fig. 11, while the part 18 projects upwardly beyond the upper end of the socket and is adapted to enter the lower part of the slider when the latter is in engagement with the stop ledges 29 and 29a.

Referring to Fig. 1 it may be noted that when the stop members are assembled, the maximum width ofthe assembled stop device (that is to say of the socket member) is substantially equal to the combined width of the opposed series of interengaging fastener units so that the presence of this stop device does not interfere with the formation of the continuous seams 9 and 10, or the like. Reference to the same figure will show that the upper end of the pin member 12 is close to the lowermost fastener element 5a of the series 5 carried by the stringer 1 to which 'the stop member 12 is secured. Likewise,

,17 is adapted to receive the free, projecting end of the lowermost fastener element 5.

Assuming that the parts are in the position of Fig. 1 and that the operator wishes to open the gap and completely to separate the parts G and G1 of the garment, he moves the slider 7 down until it comes i to engagement with the shoulders 29 and 29 of the stop member 17, thus limiting 'further downward movement of the slider. The operator then seizes the reinforced and stiffened lower ends of the stringers 1 and 2, respectively, and pulls the pin 12 out of the socket 28 as shown in Fig. 2, thus wholly separating the opposite sides of the garment. For reengaging the parts, the slider is moved tothe position of Fig. 2, (if it has been moved away from such position) and the operator then introduces the stop member 12 into the right-hand channel of the slider, causingy the pin 12 to pass downwardly into the socket 28 until it is seated against the bottom of the latter. In this position the projection 14 (if used) snaps into the depression 12 in the wall of the socket, thus tending to retain the parts in proper position, the

- resiliency of the socket walls assisting in retaining the parts in assembled relation. The slider may now be moved upwardly with the assurance that the fastener element ofthe vopposite series are in proper relation for; interengagement.

separation of the posely attempted. l

On the other hand, it is impossible to move the slider upwardly to any substantial extent unless the series of fastener elements are first brought into proper relationship for,` as illustrated in Fig. 13, if the slider be moved upwardly away from the stop ledge 29 when the pin member l2 is not fully seated in its socket, the upper part of the lateral edge of the pin member will engage the outer edge of the lowermost fastener element 6* so that the slider can not draw the opposed stringers into parallel relation, and the slider will bind so that it can not be moved upwardly to any substantial amount, thus indicating to the operator that the pin member 12 has not been seated properly.

While I have herein described certain specific arrangements for accomplishing the desired result, and while the construction herein disclosed is a preferred, operative, and highly desirable form, I contemplate that changes in dimension, proportion of parts, materials used, and substitution of equivalents may all be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers having opposed series of interlocking fastener elements, a slider for moving the opposed series of elements into and out of engagement, an end stop comprising independent members attached respectively to the opposite stringers and having interitting parts for holding said members in assembled relation, and means adjacent to said end stop for stifening the Stringer transversely, and an uninterrupted series of stitches extending longitudinally of said stilfened portion.

2. A separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers having opposed series of interlocking fastener elements, a slider for m'oving the opposed series of elements into and out of engagement, a stop device comprising independent members attached respectively to the opposite stringers and having interfitting parts for holding said members in assembled relation, the stringers having beaded edges, and means adjacent to the stop device for stiffcning each stringer laterally of the beaded edge thereof, and a sewed seam extending longitudinally of each Stringer between its beaded edge and the stiffening means.

3. A separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers having opposed series of interlocking fastener elements, a slider for moving the opposed series of elements into and out of engagement, an end stop comprising independent members attached respectively to the opposite stringers and having interparts, even if it werepurifitting parts for holding said members in assembledvrelation, andmeans for stiening the Stringer adjacentto the end stop, sai stifening meansbeing so disposed and arranged as to stifen the Stringer laterally leavmg it flexible longitudinally.

4. A separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers having opposed series of interlocking fastener elements, a slider for moving the opposed series of elements into and out of engagement, an end stop comprising independent members attached respectively to the opposite stringers and having interfitting )arts for holdin said members in assemb ed relation, an means for stifenin the Stringer adjacent to the end stop, sai stiffening means consisting of elements extending transversely of the Stringer and spaced longitudinally thereof, and rows of stitches extendin longitudinall of the stiffened portion of te Stringer an transversely of said elements.

5. A separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers having opposed series of interlocking fastener elements, a slider for moving the opposed series of elements into and out. of engagement, a stop device comprising independent members attached respectively to the opposite stringers and having interfitting parts for holding said members in assembled relation, the end of each Stringer being doubled to form two plies, and means uniting said plies, said means comprising transversely extending longitudinally spaced staples.

6. A separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers having opposed series of interlocking fastener elements, a slider for moving the opposed series of elements into and out of engagement, a stop device comprising independent members attached respectively to the opposite stringers and having interfitting parts for holding said members in assembled relation, and wire staples extending transversely of each Stringer adjacent to the stop device for stiffening the Stringer laterally.

7. A separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers having opposed series of interlocking fastener elements, a slider for moving the opposed series of elements into and out of engagement, and an end stop device comprising independent stop members secured to the respective stringers, one of said stop members being a socket member having a transverse ledge for limiting movement of the slider and a longitudinally extending guide portion whose end substantially engages the endmost fastener element of its respective Stringer, said guide portion having a lateral notch to receive the free end of the endmost fastener element of the opposed series.

8. A separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers having opposed series of interlocking fastener elements, a slider for moving the opposed series of elements into and endmost fastener element on its Stringer and lfurther apart than having a lateral notch for the free end of the endmost fastener element of the opposite series, said member having a longitudinally extending socket disposed laterally of said guide portion, one end of the other stop memer being arranged to enter said socket, its opposite end being disposed closely adjacent to the endmost fastener element of its Stringer.

9. A separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers having opposed series of interlocking fastener elements, a slider for moving the opposed series of elements into and out of engagement, and an end stop device comprising coopera-ble pin and socket members secured respectively to the opposed stringers, the maximum width of the stop de vice, comprising the assembled pin and socket members, substantially eqnaling the combined width of the opposed series of interengaged fastener elements, the socket member consisting of a single piece of sheet material and having a .pair of elongate jaws defining between them a pocket for the reception of the beaded edge of one of the stringers, and also having substantially parallel front and rear walls whose outer surfaces are substantially flat, said walls being spaced the jaws and defining between them a socket for the pin member, said walls terminating below the upper ends of the jaws, the lower ends of the jaws and the lower ends of the walls being at substantially the same level, the upper ends of said walls constituting slider limiting ledges engageable by the lower end of the slider, those portions, at least, of the jaws, which project above the ledges, mit them to enter within the slider, the pin member being of a length. greater than the distance between the upper ends of the walls of the socket and the plane of the first fastener element of the series associated with the socket member, whereby it will engage the free end of the endmost fastener element of the latter series and prevent. interengagment of the opposed series unless fully seated in its socket.

10. A separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers having opposed series ofinterlocking fastener elements, a slider for moving the opposed series of elements into and out of engagement, and an end stop device comprising independent members attached to the opposing stringers respectively, one of said members consisting of a piece of sheet being so spaced as to per-A.

metal bent to provide a socket for the reception of the other member, said socket having s aced side walls having oppositely directed i anges at their outer edges respectively, the inner edges of the walls being integrally united by a fold of the material disposed between said walls and defining a pocket for the reception of they beaded edge of the stringer, one of said walls having an integral extension constituting a bottom closure for the'socket and the pocket..

1l. A separable fastener comprising a pair of stringers having opposed series of interlocking fastener elements, a slider for moving the opposed series of elements into and out of engagement, and an end stop device having independent separable members, each of said members consisting of a single piece of sheet metal bent to provide clamping jaws arranged to embrace the end portion of the beaded edge of one of the stringers, respectively, and having a bottom closure for protecting the cxtreme end of the Stringer edge, one of said members being a pin member and the other a socket member, each of the clamping jaws of the latter being of double the thickness of the sheet metal.

1.2. A separable fastener' comprising a pair of stringers having opposed series of interlocking fastener elements, a slider for moving the opposed series of elements into and out of engagement, and a stop device comprising independent separable members, one of said members consisting of a piece of resilient sheet metal bent to provide a socket for the reception of the other member, said socket having spaced side Walls Whose inner edges are united by a fold of the meta-1 disposed between said walls and constituting a pocket for the reception of the beaded edge of the corresponding Stringer.

13. A fastener of the class described adapted to be completely separated at both ends, said fastener comprising a pair of stringersi, a series of fastener elements on each Stringer, a slider for moving the opposite series of fastener elements into and out of engagement, and a separable end connection for the stringere comprising a socket member secured to one stringer and a pin member secured to the other Stringer, cach of said members being formed of a flat piece of sheet metal bent to embrace the edge of the stringer, the socket member having substantially parallel front and rear walls defining a socket for the pin member, said walls being united at their inner edges by a fold thereby providing spaced jaws, each of double the 'thickness of the metal, for engagement with the edge of the stringer.

14. A fastener of the class described adapted to be completely separated at both ends, said fastener comprising a pair of stringers, a series of fastener elements on each Stringer,

igseasas a slider for moving the opposite series of fasextending lengthwise of the folded portion of tener elements into and out of engagement, and a separable end connection for the stringers comprising a socket member secured to one Stringer an a pin member secured to the other Stringer, each of said members being formed of a flat piece of sheet metal bent to embrace the edge of the Stringer, the socket member having spaced front and rear walls having inwardly directed iianges at their edges and an inwardly directed fold uniting the said walls at their inner edges thereby forming a socket for the pin meinber, Said inwardly directed fold forming a pocket for receiving the edge of the Stringer and protecting the Stringer from engagement y with the pin member.

15. A separable fastener of thekind having a pair of stringers provided with opposed Series of interlocking fastener elements and a slider for moving the opposed series of elements into and out of engagement, having in combination therewith a stop device comprising independent members attached respectively tothe opposite stringersV and having intertting parts for holding said members in assembled relation, the end of each Stringer being folded to form a plurality of plies, and stili'ening means uniting the plies of each Stringer respectively, said stiiening means being spaced from the inner lateral edges of the respective stop members.

` 16. In combination in a separable fastener of the kind employing a pair of stringers having opposed series of interlocking fasten-A er elements and a slider' for moving the opposed series of elements into and out of engagement, a stop device comprising a pin member and asocket member attached respectively to the opposite stringers, the extreme inner edges of the pin and socket members being disposed Substantially in line with the inner ends of the fastener elements of the respective series, each Stringer having its end portion folded into a plurality of plies therey forming a relatively thick and stiff section to facilitate manipulation of the stop device, and means independent of the pin and sgcket members respectively for uniting said p ies.

17. In Combination with a Separabiefastener of the kind having a pair of stringers provided with opposed series of interlocking 55' each Stringer.

Signed by me at day of Sept. 1931.

ROBERT C. LEGAT. 

